Back by popular demand - artists transform cars live!
Following the success of last December’s Sublime project that saw five cars transformed into pieces of art at the Rose Street Car Park, Inverness, Team Recoat are back working with local artists Erlend and Pamela Tait and Jennifer Cantwell to adorn more vehicles that will brighten the city’s streets.
They will be at Falcon Square, in the heart of the city, between noon and 6pm on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 October for two days of live street art, workshops and artists’ talks funded by Creative Scotland and Inverness Common Good Fund.
TRANSART is the name of the event being presented by arts organisation Inverness Old Town Art (IOTA), who have received offers of 30 vehicles from Highland residents to repaint.
Susan Christie of IOTA said: “We’ve had a fantastic response from the public coming forward to nominate their vans, campers and cars in even greater numbers than last year. Many had spotted the cars painted last year going around Inverness and decided they wanted something similar.”
Councillor Ian Brown, Leader of the City of Inverness Area Committee said: “We recognise that projects like this have enhanced Inverness - creating a truly vibrant city.”
One of the car owners from last year, Trev Johnson, said: “Recoat seemed a great crowd, very keen and enthusiastic. I think the painting was a real success and am very pleased with my van makeover.”
There will be a series of free artists’ talks and workshops over the two days. Eva Coutts (18), workshop participant said: ‘Events like Sublime really do make a marked difference on how young people feel about art and their future involving it.”
On Friday some of the artists will be doing a talk in IG:LU on Church Street and there will be workshops delivered by local artist Marc Delaye aka FreshPaint focusing on graffiti techniques. Activities are free and open to all. For more information go to: www.invernessoldtownart.co.uk
Team Recoat is a collective consisting of ten Scottish artists working in the field of street art, illustration, painting and graphics. Artists participating in TRANSART are Syrkus, Mark Lyken, Rekor, FiST and David Galletly. Amy Whiten aka Syrkus said: "It's a real privilege for us to be involved in such a dynamic project. All of our artists are really excited about getting the chance to paint the vehicles and gift their pieces to the community. We really hope everyone enjoys them!"
Erlend and Pamela Tait met at Grays School of Art in Aberdeen and have been based in the Black Isle since 2005. Both use traditional materials and portraiture to create works with a contemporary feel. Erlend’s large scale commissions include stain glass windows in 8 schools for The Highland Council as part of Highland Year of Culture 2007. Pamela is represented by FB69 gallery in Munster, Germany were she has a forthcoming show as well as a joint exhibition with Erlend at the RGI Kelly Gallery in Glasgow city centre next year.
Textile artist Jennifer Cantwell will also be working on some magical extra for the vehicles interiors. Jennifer has been involved in past yarn-bombing projects around Inverness and is the creative force behind Sporran Nation making limited edition, bespoke and commissioned sporrans, bags and accessories.